The Seat Struck Movie Podcast

This week on the podcast, Curtis and John are joined once again by resident Cassavetes scholar JOHN BRUNI to discuss another entry in the namesake's filmography: A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE. We discussed the film's compelling and morally complex story and the great performance at the heart of it by the late Gena Rowlands. We also talked about how this film fits along other Cassavetes works, and what it has to say about feminism and the stressors on the traditional mid-century nuclear family. Some great chatter here, to say the least. Before that, we kick off our 'shoutouts' and go over new releases and what we watched this week.

Next episode, we kick off our inaugural Sofia Coppola Watch Series by discussing THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:05:18 Shout outs:

• John: Happy Birthday Godzilla, and revisiting Megalopolis.
• Curtis: The Substance chatter.
• Bruni: Kelly Reichardt's upcoming project

00:12:00 Happy Birthday Clint Eastwood!

00:12:40 RIP Quincy Jones and Tony Todd

00:15:00 Warner Bros. problematic release of Juror Number Two.

00:18:25 New Releases (Anora)

What We Watched This Week:

00:20:35 Silence of the Lambs (Curtis)

00:21:19 Quick Kris Kristofferson aside

00:23:00 Night Fall (Bruni)

00:24:00 The Man Who Fell to Earth (Bruni)

00:25:27 Avengement (John)

00:28:42 Terrifier 3 (John)

00:32:40 WNUF Halloween Special (John)

00:34:51 Tiger Stripes (John)

00:37:00 Hundreds of Beavers (John)

00:40:49 A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE discussion

01:51:41 Our Ratings for A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE

02:0114 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Swan Theme - From Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake

Outro: Almost (In Love With You) - Jack Sheldon (composed by Bo Harwood and John Cassavetes)

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

"Something's happening to me that I just don't understand. I can't think straight anymore. It's like my reasoning is all, uh, twisted and distorted, you know? I seem to be disassociating myself from reality more and more each day. I'm anti-social. I'm becoming dangerously amoral. I - I've lost the ability to distinguish between right from wrong, good from bad. I'm scared, Ma. I mean, I feel like I'm - I'm plunging headfirst into some kind of black void of sheer and utter madness or something."

"...You want a sandwich?!"

We closed off our Spooky Canon Month by discussing another film by Frank Henenlotter (of Basket Case fame), FRANKENHOOKER. We discussed the film's satirical look at suburbia and the return to some familiar 42nd Street locations, its supposed feminist bonafides, the practical effects, and more! Before that, we kick off our 'shoutouts' and go over new releases and what we watched this week.

Next episode, we will be joined again by John Bruni to discuss A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:25 Shout outs:

00:10:00 New Releases (Woman of the Hour; Smile 2)

00:10:57 Happy Birthdays (Christopher Lloyd and Sam Raimi)

00:11:41 New Terrifier 2 novelization

00:13:32 New 'Predator' movie in production

What We Watched This Week:

00:13:57 The Apprentice (Curtis)

00:16:09 Uzumaki [TV] (Curtis)

00:17:31 Woman of the Hour (Curtis)

00:19:32 Pearl (John)

00:22:25 MaXXXine (John)

00:25:15 Friday the 13th Part VII: A New Blood (John)

00:28:10 Don't Let the Riverbeast Get You! (John)

00:30:06 Rumours [2024] (John)

00:32:44 Caveat (John)

00:34:39 FRANKENHOOKER discussion

01:01:17 Our Ratings for FRANKENHOOKER

01:05:15 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Lookin' For Hookers - From 'Frankenhooker'

Outro: Free My Frankenstein- Alice Cooper

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

John, Curtis, and recurring guest Katie RETURN FROM THE LIVING DEAD this week to discuss Stuart Gordon's B-movie class RE-ANIMATOR (1985), which is based on H.P. Lovecraft's fiction. Before talking about the film, they also chat about what they watched this week, shoutouts, and news of the week.

Tune in next week for FRANKENHOOKER!

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:19 News of the Week/Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week

00:26:11 RE-ANIMATOR (1985) Discussion (hot takes, tasty bits)

00:56:57 Our Ratings for RE-ANIMATOR

01:01:03 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

CURTIS: The Substance; Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 3)

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Excerpts from RE-ANIMATOR (1985) Trailer

Outro: "The Gonk" by Herbert Chappell

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

They're Back From The Grave and Ready to Party!

This week's entry in our 2024 edition of the Spooky Canon is the iconic punk horror-comedy, THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. Joining Quinn, John, and Curtis is fellow ROTLD-head, and recurring guest, Magill. We go over a lot of production details and some fun trivia that you may not know about. We also discuss this film's tonal departure from similar zombie horrors and what makes it so damn fun. Before that, we kick off our brand new 'shoutouts' segment where we each yap about a specific movie-related topic. We then go over new releases and what we watched this week.

Next week we're back with Curtis' pick, sticking around in 1985 to discuss the Stuart Gordon classic RE-ANIMATOR.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:05:30 Shout outs:

00:15:16 New Releases (Terrifier 3; The Apprentice; Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft [season one])

What We Watched This Week:

00:16:22 The Apprentice (Quinn)

00:18:48 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Quinn)

00:19:57 Frank & Zed (Magill)

00:24:01 Dinesh D'Souza double feature—2016: Obama's America; and America: Imagine a World Without Her (John)

00:27:15 Sleeping Giant (John)

00:30:40 Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (John)

00:33:15 A Chinese Torture Chamber Story (John)

00:34:20 At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul (John)

00:36:55 The White Lotus [season one] (Curtis)

00:37:52 Silent Hill 2 [2024; Video Game] (Curtis)

00:38:42 THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD discussion

01:27:53 Our Ratings for ROTLD

01:31:31 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Dead Beat Dance - The Damned

Middle Sample: The Living Dead - First Quest-The Music

Outro: Party Time (Zombie Version) - 45 Grave

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

Check out Magill's podcast work:

trailwentcold.com

https://www.patreon.com/thetrailwentcold

Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them?

Next week we're back with John's pick, discussing the horror comedy classic THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:03:13 Paul Schrader is looking for a new assistant on Facebook

00:03:48 Notable RIPs (Kris Kristofferson, John Amos, Maggie Smith)

00:06:19 New Releases (Salem's Lot; V/H/S/BEYOND; Frankie Freako; Joker: Folie à Deux; Will and Harper)

What We Watched This Week:

00:15:33 The Substance (Simon)

00:21:27 Sleepaway Camp 3: Teenage Wasteland (John)

00:24:20 Shakedown (John)

00:26:20 The Pee Pee Poo Poo Man (John)

00:30:22 Megalopolis (John)

00:33:23 Smoke Signals (Curtis)

00:34:40 Salem's Lot [2024] (Curtis)

00:35:30 The White Lotus [Season Two] (Curtis)

00:39:17 Knock Knock [2015] (Curtis)

00:40:48 Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos (Tobi)

00:44:22 TEXAS CHAIN SAW discussion

01:35:10 Our Ratings for TCM

01:41:00 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Opening text crawl from "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre"

Outro: The Ramones - Chainsaw

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

Check out Tobi's podcasts:

https://impressionsofamerica.com/

and, the recently concluded "The Golden Age of Murder: A True Crime Podcast", available on podcast platforms everywhere.

Once upon a time, in the same galaxy, John, Curtis, and Billy discussed STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE for its 25th anniversary. They talk about what they watched this week and HOGWARTS LEGACY before diving into the topic. Hot topics include Natalie Portman, the epic score, Jar Jar Binks, podracing, and reassessing an often maligned sequel and its legacy.

This episode is dedicated to Curtis' brother Ryan on his 33rd birthday!

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:04:03 News of the Week/What We Watched This Week

00:30:42 STAR WARS I: THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999) Discussion (hot takes, tasty bits)

01:31:54 Our Ratings for STAR WARS EPISODE I

01:42:13 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

JOHN: Cameraperson; Lizzie; Thunder Bay (series); Return of Daimajin; Super Mario Bros.

BILLY: Murder By Death

CURTIS: Marie Antoinette; Straight Outta Compton; Hogwarts Legacy (Video Game)

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: "The Flag Parade" by John Williams (STAR WARS I: THE PHANTOM MENACE OST)

Outro: "Manaan (Ahto City)" by Jeremy Soule (STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC OST)

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

Check out Curtis' forthcoming Theology and Vampires publication here:

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781978716896/Theology-and-Vampires

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

"There was a time, a time before cable, when the local anchorman reigned supreme, when people believed everything they heard on TV. This was an age when only men were allowed to read the news. And in San Diego, one anchorman was more man than the rest. His name was Ron Burgundy. He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine, they made Sinatra look like a hobo. In other words, Ron Burgundy was the balls."

After recording an episode of Domestic Pints ONLY (available on all podcast platforms), Tom and John pivoted to discuss a movie which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary: ANCHORMAN! We tried to not just devolve into only reciting quotes (to mixed success), but along the way we discussed some background on the film and our first memories of it. Before that, we did a brief rundown of some new releases and talked about what we watched recently.

We'll return very soon with another anniversary episode, chatting STAR WARS EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:18 New Releases (Strange Darling; Afraid; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice; Reagan)

00:06:33 Deadpool and Wolverine (Tom)

00:08:15 The Craft (Tom)

00:09:18 The Black Phone (Tom)

00:11:16 Peeping Tom (John)

00:13:15 Citizenfour (John)

00:14:04 Risk (John)

00:15:18 Possibly in Michigan (John)

00:16:10 Swallowed (John)

00:17:48 ANCHORMAN Discussion

00:43:32 Our Ratings for ANCHORMAN

00:46:06 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose - Treat Her Like A Lady

Outro: The Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

John and Curtis wrap up the Ridley Scott watch series by covering the man's latest film NAPOLEON, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Matthew Needham, Vanessa Kirby, and more. They talk about the casting, the French Revolution and its aftermath, and the epic battle sequences, as well as have an in-depth discussion about ALIEN: ROMULUS. Before talking about the film, they also talked about what they watched this week.

Tune in next week as John and special guest Tom take on ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:20 News of the Week/What We Watched This Week

00:42:24 NAPOLEON (2023) Discussion (hot takes, tasty bits)

01:13:50 Our Ratings for NAPOLEON

01:21:16 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

CURTIS: Alien: Romulus; The Handmaid’s Tale (Season 1); Oddity (2024)

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: "Toulon" by Martin Phipps (NAPOLEON OST)

Outro: "Outro" by M83

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

"Father, Son, and the House of Gucci"

On this week's episode, Simon and John discuss the penultimate entry in the Ridley Scott filmography (at least, until Gladiator 2 comes out), and chat his second 2021 release: HOUSE OF GUCCI, starring Adam Driver and Lady Gaga. We discussed the immaculate costuming and prop work, funky needle drops, and Jared Leto's hall of fame Gallagheresque performance as Paolo Gucci. Before this, we did the usual rundown of news and what we watched this week.

We're away for the rest of the month, but we will return in September to talk NAPOLEON.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:57 A24 announced new X trilogy paperbacks.

00:04:04 RIPs (Rachael Lillis, Corey Yeun)

00:05:26 Criterion announced CC40, their 40th anniversary, 40-film box set—retailing for $799

00:12:37 Deadpool and Wolverine crossed $1B

00:14:08 New Releases (Cuckoo; Harold and the Purple Crayon; Borderlands)

What We Watched This Week

00:18:12 Deadpool and Wolverine (Simon)

00:20:17 Night of Fear (Curtis)

00:22:22 House of the Dragon Season Two [TV] (Curtis)

00:26:46 Jim Henson Idea Man (Curtis)

00:30:33 Abigail (Simon)

00:31:54 Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (John)

00:34:32 Ninja Terminator (John)

00:36:13 Buzzard (John)

00:38:32 3000 Nights (John)

00:39:00 Theater Camp (John)

00:42:00 HOUSE OF GUCCI Discussion

01:09:02 Our Ratings for HOUSE OF GUCCI

01:10:30 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Eurythmics - Here Comes the Rain Again

Outro: Lil Pump - Gucci Gang

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

John: johnnycakes.substack.com

@johnnycakes on Letterboxd

Check out John's other podcast Domestic Pints ONLY! @domesticpintsonly on IG; find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

Curtis, John, and returning special guest (and John Cassavetes film scholar) Dr John Bruni take on Elaine Mays (one of the first female directors) debut film A NEW LEAF (1971). They chat about what they watched this week and the latest news of the week before diving into our topic.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:05:42 News of the Week/What We Watched This Week

00:42:45 A NEW LEAF (1971) Discussion (hot takes, tasty bits)

01:40:40 Our Ratings for A NEW LEAF

01:47:17 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

CURTIS: Baby Reindeer (Netflix Miniseries); Longlegs; Lisa Frankenstein; Saltburn; Starve Acre

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Excerpt from A NEW LEAF (1971) Trailer

Outro: Excerpt from A NEW LEAF

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'